Ok -- usually just run with my research and ideas...but figured WTH, let's see what you guys think.
Gettin Junior a new dirt bike - ya he rides quads too, but he is really diggin' the dirt bike lately and I gotta support his hobby.

Alright -- he's moving from what I'd say novice to intro intermediate. He's had his share of crashes and what NOT TO DO -- to me that's the greatest learning lesson sometimes...those notes to self, do not _________________(fill in blank) next time.

He's 11 and will be 12 in the summer, about 5'3", 150lbs. - thick kid.

So, I'll scope this thread till Monday and see what ya think of:


Honda CRF 150F - (the best is that its a Honda, it'll be around 20 years from now..I don't like not having a kick start)

Yamaha TTR 125L - (no nuthin' more than it's 25cc lower and it does have a kick start as backup)


Let me know what ya think of them --- was gonna consider the CRF 150R -- very nice bike, but I don't think he should move from a CRF 70 to a bike that advanced....that will probably be his bike in a few more years.

EDIT ADD ON: ok, I'll add: He will be ridin' this bike in GLAMIS! So I guess HP is a serious consideration. Any other thoughts you have beyond the CRF 150F and TTR 125L is appreciated! Looks like a few say -- go for the CRF 150R, but some good comments on growin' out of that bike to fast and that I should put a few thoughts into the CRF250 and lower it --- THANKS GANG, I'm still reading your posts!

OK --- I'm all eyes Thanks for your input!!!!

I say go with the 150. Personally had a lot of people advise me to go to a TTR, I was coming from a YZ80. I was waffling and going back and forth and as someone ahem MAC finally put it SHUT UP and get the bigger bike. You can make a fast bike go slow but you'll never make a slow bike go fast. I'm happy I didn't get talked into the smaller bike.

The 150f will fit him for a bit longer than the 125 - more economical choice. If he is intermediate I don't see why he would have that much trouble with the difference in the bikes. He can hold back on the 150 if he isn't ready for the full power. But when he is ready, it will be there. I sat on a little bike for too long. I started just getting frustrated and hating riding, would hate to see your kid do the same thing and throw the towel in. I love seeing 2 wheels in da sand

Thank you D.O.N.E. --

What are you looking to spend and will he stick with it?

If you go to Glamis at all...the TT125 is absolutely out.

The CRF150 is a good bike, but he will quickly outgrow it and will still have power issues in the dunes.

I bought my daughter a CRF150, she didn't have enough power so she gave it up and went back to a quad. A couple years later she asked to ride my CRF450...loved it.

So...I bought her a CRF250R and had it lowered and revalved and resprung for her weight. It works great for her now. I picked up a 2006 for $2500 and had the suspension done for just under $1000 and its a fun little bike. This is perfect for your son. As he grows, you just reset the clips and the bike goes back to stock height and you just revalve and respring for his new weight. In my opinion, this is the only way to go.

Rumor has it...my daughter's bike might be for sale soon...

Let me know if you have any questions.

I hear you MAC -- like the idear about the 250.

Any big diffs you guys from the CRF 150F and the CRF150R ???

I heard the CRF150R was quite a bit faster -- is that true? That is one of the reasons I was side steppin that a bit ---

If you go with the 150, absolutely you must...get the "R". SCHG might be selling her 150R.

MAC if its not a hassle -- PM me a pic of your daughters bike and let me know when you think you might be setting it loose from the stable and of course how much that pony will be sellin' for. -- thanks.

As far as a budget -- the quotes I got are fair on New bikes --- still think the market is pretty quiet as far as NEW BUYERS, I don't mind posting it --on the high end was the CRF150R -- OTD was about 3200 for an 08 and the "F" version was about $500.00 less, the TTR was in the same neighborhood as the "F". I've seen used "R's" for about 2200.00 (07's) --- so I guess you can say the spread is 2200 to 3200. Some of the used crf 150R's out there are very sano!

10-4 MAC -- must get the "R"

Man I am glad I posted this topic ---thanks for the quick comments.

Nieghbor kid has the 150f. Hard to ride in the sand.
I would for sure go with the 150r.

10-4 CHILI3

You've got a big kid, both those bikes are too small. If I didn't think so I'd make you a killer deal on a TTR125 with yz80 front forks, BBR swing arm, airbox, cdi, etc. or a TTR with the BBR 150 big bore and all the BBR goodies including yz85 front forks. Great bikes, but too small for your kid.

The 150R will be more work than it's worth, I've seen it happen...twice to two different guys. One put his kid on the 250R, kid loves it.

You might check into Honda 250x. The gearing is better for a kid his age, it's a regular tractor. Has a headlight, nice soft seat - basically the trail version of the R. Put a Kouba lowering link on it and slide the front forks up a bit to start him off and as he grows move it back up. That's the ticket.

10-4 glassman -- very good info.

Diggin the thoughts -- I hate spendin' money twice to QUICK -- buy it right the first time -- I'm listening.

And your right --- he is a big kid and he ain't growing to be any smaller.

And see.....didn't even think about a lowering link or slidin' the forks up.

Just to give you an idea....I spent a buttload of money on those two Yamahas for my wife and one of my daughters. Both are petite, but wanted a nice ride, so I swapped out the suspensions. Then my wife wanted something faster..so I did the big bore. Then she wanted faster still.

So I put her on the 250x. She's running a bit on the heavy side right now...maybe 115...lol...but she's working hard to get down to bikini shape. She loves her bike, wouldn't part with it for the world. I stole it...found it on Craigslist for $2800 - already had the link on it. The guy just couldn't get it running right. I didn't have a scratch on it. Took it home, tweaked it just right, it purrs like a kitten. Gotta love those Hondas. Oh, I also shaved the seat a bit for her - she's 5'2". The X seat has more foam than the R seat.

10-4 Glassman --- 115 heavy!! OMG, your wife is gonna getcha ya for that one.

I always tell my wife -- honey you look fine, nothing wrong with a little "winter coat" to keep me warm at night.

Thanks for info on the bike!

I'm in somewhat the same situation. I really want to stay with Honda but have not heard anything great about the CRF-70 or 80. Also, if my son starts racing, looks like we'll have to go with the KTM's or Cobra's ($$$$$$$$).

10-4 RBJ -- -well looks like this topic should help us both out a bit.

I just knew there would be a few of you out there that has gone down this path already and could help out with some good advice and ideas.

MAC -- He will definitely stick with it, he has rode his 70 like a mad man, will mad boy! Just to prove to me he wants to ride dirt bikes, we have quads around camp, Rhino, etc -- every chance he gets, he's on the dirt bike -- of course with that little bike he prefers Ocotillo hard pack - and thats' why I need to move him up -- not just his size, but I need to get a bike that he could ride from camp to Olds, Vendors, Comp, shoot Olds at least make that type of hill and riding and get him started on the mini to mid-size dunes learning the dune style ridin of dirt bikes.

Just to clarify...The shock and forks on my daughter's bike are not just moved up and I did not use a lowering link. Precision Concepts took the shock and forks a part and cut a groove in the shafts 2 inches lower and reclipped them. This keeps the bike balanced and the center of gravity the same. And as mentioned, as he grows, you just reset the clip and it's back to stock height and works as advertised.

I'm in South San Diego if you want to talk or take a look. I'll look for a picture when I get home.

Even though the suspension is only lowered 2 inches, she still has over 10 inches of travel front and rear and good clean travel, but the bike looks a lot lower.

It makes for a great camp bike... Because of the size, you truly forget you are on a 250R until you grab a fist full of throttle.

Mac, I'm pretty sure the 150 bike you are talking about was sold to CRASH's fiance about 5-6 mos ago. Unless she has another one.

I would say the TTR is out, it is 200 lbs and can't get out of its own way, handles the sand poorly. The 150F is also underpowered and around 225lbs. The 150R is 187 lbs, the big wheel handles better than the small wheel, would be okay but you will be buying him a bike in another year. My son is 11, will be 12 in august he is 5'2" and 108 lbs riding a KX 100 right now (which is the same hight and power as a 150RB, but only 150 lbs). I am going to try and keep him in it another season but it fits him perfectly right now.

If I were in your shoes today I would look at a 250F like others have said and lower it, but not the Honda, they go through top ends way too much ($1000 ouch). The 2 most bulletproof 250Fs are the Yamaha and the KTM, the only other bikes I would consider are the 125 2 strokes or the KTM 200 2 st. if you are not opposed to mixing gas.

Good luck.

Been in Glamis since Sunday, having a great time, neighbor camper just got his sons crf150r's, sweet little bikes, saw his boys punch them up Olds without a paddle, but his sons look about 40lbs lighter than Junior. I will be scoping the 250 out when I get back, and will be putting some good thought into eliminating the CRF150R, looks like he may be able to squeeze 2 seasons out of it, which may be good enough if I can score an used one in good condition. Thanks for all your comments peeps! One more day here in G, and gotta head home......Mac I'll be in touch to flap about the 250, over and out.

150lbs is definitely 250 country. If we're talking dune riding as in big dunes then 250 MX bike, not 250 TRAIL bike. My boy is 5'6" 120 lbs (he'll be 15 come October) and he's moving to a 250 two stroke this summer. His YZ85 is for sale.

My friends kid is 13 and thick also,

They went with a KTM 200 2stroke, it has been a great bike all year and he wont out grow it in one season.
That bike hauled my fat a$$ up pattons no problem.

in the dunes, 2 wheels kinda suck until you hit the 250cc's. stick to 3 or 4 wheels in the sand till he gets older.

I forgot to add.......a 125 MX wouldn't be a bad choice either.

I know this is going to cause you 2 smokers to FLAME ON but...

I rode my buddy's YZ250 last weekend...HATED IT! It seriously lacked power and wasn't really that fun to ride. The only upside to it was it is uber-light. I will give it that.

Regardless what people say, a 4 stroke is just easier to ride and has a ton of torque when you need it.

All this crap about valves and rebuild is just that...crap. Take care of your stuff and you won't have issues.

Sorry Chuck, I'd vote against the 125. I have had to help too many kids flogging a 125 like they are at time trials for the Kentucky Derby...They seriously lack power in the sand.

I agree w/ the 125cc also, After 2 rides near camp I parked it for the weekend. I didnt want to blow it up.

I really only suggested the 125 because of his age. If he can learn to ride a 125 in the sand then his Dad will know he's got a true rider that deserves more power when the time is right. I know a 150lb guy (24 years old) that hucks a 125 in the dunes, so I now they can be ridden in the sand. I myself can ride (not really dune) but ride a YZ85 in the sand, at 220 lbs, it's quite a show.

Thanks peeps. ....Junior is more into the four stroke powerband then ridin a two stroke "on the pipe", his brother is 14 and loves two strokes, its cool they have there own taste and ridin preference. Great info and I do appreciate it, Junior is set on the next bike up....time to start putting this together now.....anyone headin down to Glamis should have a sweet run the wind smoothed it all out.......it was Disneyland!